Congratulations to the 2018 World Tea Award Winners at the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas

One of many tea tastings at the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas

Perhaps you haven’t thought that
much about what leaves are in your cup of tea. At the World Tea Expo, we
learned it’s a broad, yet delicate, multifaceted world much like the wine
industry, but even older. World Tea Expo is North America’s specialty tea
market and leading tradeshow focusing on premium teas. Those who build their brands
and business on quality teas and related products meet at this once a year expo
to share fresh ideas, steep in the latest trends and build new business
relationships. Buying, selling and education abounded throughout the week-long
event in mid-June with attendees capitalizing on the growing demand of premium
tea products.

Serving a nearly $14 billion US
tea industry that is expected to grow an additional $500 million per year through
2021, specialty/premium tea is driving this growth and holds much of the market
share today, remaining the main focus of products, services and education at
World Tea Expo.

Who attends the World Tea Expo? The
mix of large and small retailers, tea room owners, distributors, F&B
directors, resort & spa directors, specialty grocers, mass merchants and
business professionals attend every year to see over 300 high-quality tea
suppliers and related vendors from 22 countries exhibit new products and
innovations. Many of the exhibiting companies exhibit nowhere else, making
attendance at the World Tea Expo an exclusive opportunity to visit these
specialty suppliers.

For the cream of the crop;
companies and people that have made significant impacts to the industry, there
are awards honored every year by the World Tea Expo Advisory Board, with the John
Harney Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on one of the most influential tea
industry leaders that have advanced the business of tea with their outstanding impact.
With 19 nominees (*listed below), the 2018 winner is Nigel Melica, Managing
Director of Teacraft Ltd. We extend heartfelt congratulations to Nigel for his family
oriented, scientific approach and hands on accomplishments that have touched
nearly every continent on the planet.

We extend congratulations to all
of the 2018 World Tea Award winners for their outstanding and well deserved accomplishments.
The full list of winners by category is listed below. So, the next time you
peruse your favorite tea shop, online retailer or grocery aisle, pause for a moment
and reflect on the forward thinking, driven individuals that take the tea from
farm to your relaxing, refreshing, delicious cup.